Fuji Safari Park: See Wild Animals With Mt. Fuji in the Background!

Fuji Safari Park

What Kind of Place Is Fuji Safari Park?
The Six Best Ways To Enjoy Fuji Safari Park
Restaurants and Shops at Fuji Safari Park
Fuji Safari Park: A Perfect DayTrip! Enjoy Views of Mt. Fuji
In Closing

What Kind of Place Is Fuji Safari Park?

Fuji Safari Park is located near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, and is one of Japan's largest safari parks. It opened for business in 1980.

The park covers an expansive 183 acres (740,000 square meters). This land area is the equivalent of about 16 Tokyo Domes.

There are currently 60 species of animals inhabiting the park. At Fuji Safari Park, not only can visitors see these animals, but they can also have a precious experience interacting with them!

How Does a Safari Park Differ From a Regular Zoo?

Inside the park, animals are not housed in cages nor are they screened off by fences and partitions. In this large area where a natural habitat has been created, animals roam around and live in a carefree manner.

Visitors can explore the park in a special bus or even in their own car and see all the animals up close.

Being able to see them in their near-natural environment at close range is an attractive feature that sets it apart from a regular zoo.

The Safari Zone, which can be toured by car or bus, is divided into several areas.

The first section is the carnivorous animal area. Visitors here can see bears, lions, tigers, cheetahs, and other large and powerful carnivores at close range. The second section is the herbivorous animal area which features elephants, giraffes, zebras, and herds of deer. The friendly herbivores live a carefree and leisurely life here.

You'll be able to see friendly animals spending their time relaxing behind large rocks and around curves. Enjoyable encounters with these animals await you throughout the park.

World Heritage Site Mt. Fuji and Animals

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

One of the many attractive features of Fuji Safari Park is being able to see the various animals with majestic Mt. Fuji standing in the background.

Mt. Fuji is the great mountain that symbolizes the country of Japan. It has also been designated as a World Heritage Site. On sunny days you can enjoy stunning views of splendid Mt. Fuji from many vantage points within the park.

Take a photo with Mt. Fuji in the background and your memories will be all the more precious! This trip will surely become an experience you won't forget.

The Six Best Ways To Enjoy Fuji Safari Park

At Fuji Safari Park you can have an unforgettable experience interacting with wild animals up close.

You can ride the Jungle Bus inside the park and see the impressive animals, or you can interact and play with the smaller animals in the Fureai Zone (Petting Zone). You'll be sure to have many worthwhile experiences.

Next, we introduce our six recommended ways to best enjoy Fuji Safari Park.

About the Park Premises

First, we'd like you to become familiar with the inside of the park.

The park is divided into two main zones: the Safari Zone and the Fureai Zone.

In the Safari Zone, visitors tour the park mainly by special bus or car. But from the spring until fall, there's also a Walking Safari that allows you to explore the area on foot. This is a very popular option.

The Walking Safari consists of a mountain course that is 2.5 kilometers in circumference. As you walk this course you can take your time and see the wild animals.

The Fureai Zone consists of Fureai Ranch, a petting zoo with friendly animals, and Animal Village.

Here, you can watch and also pet the friendly animals which are smaller in size. There's also a spot where visitors can feed them, so this is a big hit with pet lovers!

This is the perfect opportunity to see the cute gestures and behaviours of these animals right beside you.

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

Visitors can see cats, dogs, and rabbits in each of their own designated areas.

Each of these specially designated areas is a place where visitors can relax and play together with these pets. Please enjoy a leisurely and soothing time here.

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

At The House of Cats you can have playful encounters with a wide variety of different species of cats that were brought in from all parts of the world.

Admission here requires a separate fee of 600 yen per 20 minutes.

The interior is adorned with antique European-style decorations. The cats, with their refined and gentle nature, can be found relaxing in this calm and comfortable space.

Here it's possible to feed the animals. Normally the cats tend to feel a bit distant, but when you gently hold out a small treat in front of them, they become very interested. They'll approach you right away.

The House of Dogs is separated into an indoor area and outdoor area. This place features a lively atmosphere in contrast to The House of Cats.

When you enter the house, happy and energetic dogs are running around. They rush up to you with their tails wagging and encourage you to play with them.

About 25 small-sized dogs make their home at The House of Dogs.

The admission fee for The House of Dogs is 700 yen per hour. In the indoor area you can interact freely with the dogs while following the instructions of the staff members.

Then, in the outdoor area, you can enjoy taking one of the dogs for a walk.

However, depending on their physical condition, the dogs available for walking can differ from day to day. For details please speak with a staff member.

The House of Rabbits, with its British-style architecture, has a warm and adorable atmosphere. It feels just like you've stepped into the world of Peter Rabbit!

The admission fee is 600 yen for 20 minutes. When you tell a staff member the number of the rabbit you'd like to hold, they'll get you an apron and large towel. Then after they place the rabbit on your lap you can take your time and interact with it.

An especially popular breed is the Netherland Dwarf, a domestic rabbit that served as the model for Peter Rabbit. They are characterized by their large eyes, ears that stand up straight, and soft fur. Just feeling their warmth will soothe your body and soul.

Recommendation #1: Ride the Jungle Bus

Visitors can go on a tour of Fuji Safari Park by taking the Jungle Bus.

The Jungle Buses have cute and unique designs that resemble various animals including lions, tigers, elephants, and rhinos. They are popular with many visitors and offer a powerful and exciting safari viewing experience.

In addition to purchasing tickets on the day of your visit, some tickets can also be reserved online ahead of time. Tickets are 1,500 yen per person (3 years old and up).

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

It takes about 50 minutes to see all of the Safari Zone.

During the tour, participants can also feed the brown bears, lions, and camels through the wire fence while enjoying the guide's commentary.

*Guides are available in Japanese only.

Recommendation #2: Ride the Super Jungle Bus

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

The Super Jungle Bus tours the Safari Zone like the regular Jungle Bus does. One big difference, however, is that the roof of the bus is made of wire mesh.

The bears and lions climb up onto the roof, allowing passengers to get a close look at them from directly below. This makes for a truly thrilling experience (see photo above)!

You can clearly hear the breathing and cries of the animals, allowing you to experience the feeling of being immersed in a wild kingdom.

Tickets can be purchased on a first-come first-served basis after entering the park.
Also, some tickets can be reserved online beforehand. Tickets cost 2,100 yen per person (Elementary school age and up. *Children under elementary school age are not permitted on the bus).

*Guides are available in Japanese only.

Recommendation #3: See the Animals From Your Own Car

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

Visitors can also freely tour the Safari Zone in their own car. If you buy a park admission ticket you can enjoy yourself in the park for as long as you want.

However, when viewing the animals from your own car you must not open your window or feed the animals. Let's be sure to follow these rules for everyone's safety.

Being able to see the safari animals from the comfort of your own vehicle is an ideal option for sightseeing visitors who are coming here by car from Tokyo or Nagoya. This is perfect for families with children and couples.

Recommendation #4: Enjoy a Walking Safari

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

There's also a walking course around the perimeter of the Safari Zone with viewing spots here and there for watching the animals.

On this course it's also possible to feed the lions and the herbivorous animals.

The Walking Safari allows you to see the animals at close range in their natural state. So you'll be able to feel the breathing and movements of the animals right up close.
The Walking Safari is held during the spring, summer, and fall, from late March until the end of November.

The Walking Safari costs 600 yen (4 years old and up, 3 years old and under are free), but feeding the animals requires a separate fee. For information on reservation times and locations please refer to the official homepage ahead of time.

Recommendation #5: Experience a Summer-Only Night Safari

Many of the animals here are more active at night than during the daytime. Visitors can observe the behaviours of these nighttime creatures on the Night Safari.

The Night Safari is a special event that's only held during the summer. It's best to reserve a spot as soon as possible, so for the most up-to-date information on event dates, please refer to the official homepage.

Recommendation #6: Interact With Cute Animals in the Fureai Zone

At the Fureai Ranch and Animal Village, you'll find mild-mannered and friendly animals that visitors can actually interact with.

When the lively kangaroo sees a person approaching, they'll soon start hopping over. It's adorable the way they beg for food.

The laid-back capybara is always at ease and their relaxed expression is soothing to watch.

The ring-tailed lemurs gather together and enjoy sunbathing with their hands and legs stretched outwards. They look so comfortable! Then the guinea pigs, with their round and puffy cheeks, are cute and irresistible.

All of the animals are unique in their own way and you'll soon want to pet them all.

Restaurants and Shops at Fuji Safari Park

Fuji Safari Park has restaurants where you can sit down and have a relaxing meal.
The Fureai Ranch has a shop called Frontier, and the Fureai Zone has Alpen Rose.

You can also pick up fast food and snacks at a small shop offering takeout service, located near the souvenir store.

*For days of operation and business hours please refer to the official homepage.

Baking Workshop: Make Bread Shaped Like Your Favorite Animal!

Next to Restaurant Alpen Rose is a bakery―another must-visit spot. Here they sell their cute, original bread that's been baked in the shape of various animals.

Some of their popular items are the Red Panda-shaped cream bread and the cheetah-shaped melon bread.

Picture courtesy of Fuji Safari Park

At this bakery, not only can you purchase cute-looking bread products, but you can also try baking some bread yourself.

It's possible to reserve a spot ahead of time in the bread-making workshop. On the official homepage, please select your preferred time and then register at the workshop on the day of the event.

The workshop costs 600 yen and participants can bake two bread products. The class is about 30 minutes in length not including the fermentation and baking time.

To pick up your baked bread please return to the bakery about one hour after your workshop is finished, up until around 15:00.

Safari Restaurant: Enjoy the Extensive Menu

Safari Restaurant is the largest restaurant inside the park. It offers plenty of seating so it's highly convenient for families and large groups.

In addition to Western-style and Japanese-style items, the menu also has a wide dessert selection including cakes and pancakes. After spending some enjoyable time interacting with the cute animals, come here to satisfy your appetite and replenish your energy!

Photo left: Omurice (1,200 yen after tax), Photo right: Mt. Fuji Curry Rice with salad (1,400 yen after tax).

The menu can differ depending on the season and on the events being held in the park. However, the Mt. Fuji Curry Rice and Omurice (omelette filled with ketchup rice and chicken) are two popular items that are available throughout the year.

These dishes are extremely popular with all customers, young and old alike.

Safari Shop: Pick Up Limited Edition Souvenirs Here

The Safari Shop is a shop you'll want to visit when you come to Fuji Safari Park.

Inside the shop you'll find a a variety of original goods that simply can't be found anywhere else―from food products all the way to small accessories and daily goods.

These are all so attractive. No matter which one you look at, you'll soon want to buy it!

The Baby Lion series is especially popular (see photo above).

Inside the shop you can see many park visitors picking these up and exclaiming hot cute they are!

Smaller items and accessories such as the small hankerchiefs and keyholders adorned with animal illustrations, the mini Jungle Bus, and magnets, are all light and compact making them the ideal souvenirs.

These are also popular items that can be easily purchased.

Confectionery goods are also must-buy souvenirs. The No. 1 selling animal-shaped cookies and cakes embellished with cute patterns are popular classic items that always catch the eye of customers.

The packages with their original designs have a good reputation. There are also many souvenirs that are visually appealing including cookies in a bus-shaped tin can, and the Mt. Fuji-style senbei rice crackers.

Fuji Safari Park: A Perfect DayTrip! Enjoy Views of Mt. Fuji

In addition to the vast grounds of Fuji Safari Park, there are plenty of shops and eating establishments. This is the perfect spot for a day trip from the Tokyo area.

Inside the park there's also a Mother's Room and baby carriages can be rented here. So families with infants can also have a worry-free park experience.

Business Hours:

March 11 to October 31 / 9:00-16:30
November 1 to 30 / 9:00-15:30
December 1 to March 10 / 10:00-15:30
*Dates and times can differ slightly depending on the season. Please refer to the official homepage for the current business hours and closures.

Admission:

Adults (Senior high school students and older): 3,200 yen
Children (From 4 years old to Junior high school age): 2,000 yen
Seniors (65 years old and up): 2,500 yen
Groups (15 people or more): Adults 2,500 yen / Children 1,500 yen

Access to Fuji Safari Park:

Fuji Safari Park can be accessed by car or by public transport.

By Car
From Tokyo: About 25 minutes from the Gotemba Interchange via Tomei Expressway.
From Nagoya: About 35 minutes from the Fuji Interchange via Tomei Expressway.

By Public Transport
At Tokyo Station take the Tokaido Shinkansen as far as Mishima Station. At Mishima Station hop on the Fujikyu City Bus. Total travel time is about one hour and 50 minutes (bus is 50 minutes).

At Shinjuku Station take the Odakyu Limited Express Romance Car or the Odakyu Highway Bus as far as Gotemba Station. At Gotemba Station hop on the Fujikyuko Bus. Total travel time is about 2 hours and 15 minutes (bus is 35 minutes).

When coming by bus, hop on the Fujikyu Shizuoka Bus at Fuji Station. Travel time is about 60 minutes.

In Closing

Fuji Safari Park is great for a family excursion, fun for groups of friends, and even perfect for an outdoor date.

If you plan your itinerary carefully, you can also stop in at Gotemba Outlet on your way back home and do some shopping.

Fuji Safari Park offers a special and enjoyable experience that's not found anywhere else!

Fuji Safari Park

410-1231 2255-27 Fujiwara, Suyama, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Japan's largest safari park, with around 900 animals from 60 different species that live around the world. With Mt. Fuji in the background, lions, elephants, giraffes and other animals live freely. There is the "Safari Zone" where you can get around by car or park bus, and the "Interaction Zone" where you can interact with the animals while walking, and both allow you to experience the charms of the animals. There are also three restaurants and four take-out shops within the park, as well as the "Safari Shop" where you can purchase original animal goods and sweets, so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest for the whole day.

Sponsored by Fuji Safari Park